The Latest Breaking News from Orthodox Christmas

What is Orthodox Christmas? And why do millions of people celebrate it on January 7

The ancient church in the Roman Empire set its religious feasts based on the Julian calendar

The Independent UK · Jan 7

Putin escalates assault on Ukraine with deadly missile strikes

As Russia continues its relentless assault on Ukraine, President Zelensky seeks support from Japan and Europe while Putin celebrates Orthodox Christmas. A ...

Top News · Jan 8, 2024

Russia-Ukraine war: Moscow ‘will be defeated’, Zelenskiy says as Ukraine marks Christmas Day on 25 December for first time – as it happened

‘All Ukrainians are together,’ president says after government changed date of Orthodox Christmas in snub to Russia

The Guardian - AU · Dec 25, 2023

Russia Insists it is Observing Ukraine Ceasefire Despite Kyiv Attacks

Moscow insisted Saturday its army was observing a ceasefire it unilaterally declared in Ukraine to mark Orthodox Christmas despite artillery attacks by Kyiv troops. "Despite the shelling of the armed forces of Ukraine of settlements and Russian positions, the implementation of the declared ceasefire will continue," the Russian defense ministry…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jan 7, 2023

Shelling booms around Bakhmut's streets in 'Christmas ceasefire'

Shellfire echoed on Saturday around the near-deserted streets of the Ukrainian town of Bakhmut, current focus of the most intense fighting in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, despite Moscow's declaration of a ceasefire for Eastern Orthodox Christmas.

Reuters · Jan 7, 2023

Ukrainians celebrate Orthodox Christmas in reclaimed church

Hundreds of Ukrainians heard the Orthodox Christmas service in the Ukrainian language for the first time in decades at Kyiv’s 1,000-year-old Lavra Cathedral

The Independent UK · Jan 7, 2023

Little let-up in Ukraine fighting on Orthodox Christmas

KYIV: Ukrainians and Russians on Saturday marked Orthodox Christmas under the shadow of war, as fighting persisted despite Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin unilaterally ordering his forces to pause attacks.

Bangkok Post · Jan 7, 2023

Ukrainians mark Orthodox Christmas in Europe with a prayer to return home

Victoria, a Ukrainian refugee, is celebrating Orthodox Christmas in Poland with a simple prayer - that next year she will be back at home.

Reuters · Jan 7, 2023

Strikes in East Ukraine despite Putin's Ceasefire Order

Artillery exchanges pounded war-scarred cities in eastern Ukraine on Friday despite Russian leader Vladimir Putin unilaterally ordering his forces to pause attacks for 36 hours for the Orthodox Christmas. The brief ceasefire declared by Putin earlier this week was supposed to begin at 0900 GMT Friday and would have been…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Jan 7, 2023

Orthodox Christmas celebrations commence Friday night

For Baltic, Hellenic, Arabic and Coptic households in Eastern Orthodox Churches, midnight mass and traditional holiday food come on a different calendar.

Chicago Sun-Times · Jan 6, 2023